Block And Tackle

A resurgent JeM and the rise in local militancy have got the attention of the establishment. Steps against radicalisation are the need of the hour

- Namrata Biji Ahuja

His relatives and neighbours remember Fardeen Ahmad Khanday, 16, as a polite, helpful and studious boy. But, the class 10 student from Tral in south Kashmir had been gradually losing interest in studies. His father Ghulam Muhammad Khanday, a policeman, was not oblivious to the change. Intelligence sources said Ghulam Muhammad had shared his worries about Fardeen, who had allegedly got in touch with militants on social media, with his bosses.

Together, they attempted to deradicalise Fardeen. “Ghulam Muhammad tried every trick. From trying to persuade his son to move out and pursue higher education in another city, to an emotional appeal by his mother. Everything failed, and one day, Fardeen left home,” said a J&K police officer who requested anonymity. When Fardeen went missing, the police concluded that he had turned to militancy.

On December 31, 2017, they were proved right when Fardeen and two companions attacked the Central Reserve Police Force camp at Lethpora in Pulwama district. The Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. “The fidayeen [who attacked the camp] were a mix of local and foreign terrorists,” said CRPF Director-General R.R. Bhatnagar. “This phenomenon has been observed over a period of time. We have come to know about Fardeen’s background and involvement only now. The J&K Police is looking into the matter.”